I just found this site today and am extremely eager. I am 20 years old, female, 5'4, and 140lbs. I wear between a size 6 and 8 to give you somewhat of an idea of the size of my body. At 5'4 I really don't think weighing around 125 is too thin by any means but I am really having trouble getting down to that weight. So here's my story..

I was active in highschool but quit sports and did absolutely nothing for about 2-3 years. Even while playing sports I was never below about 138. So this past summer I reached my highest at 145lb and joined the gym, personal trainer once a week. I was faithfully exercising (combo of weight training and aerobic) 5 times per week. After 3 months I was down to 137 but since college started back up, my weight went back up too (even though its been just a few pounds) and here I am at 139. I refuse to be over 140 again and would absolutely love to be under 130! My whole family has weight issues and I don't want to fall into the same slump they all are in. Please help me with supplements that would be useful, eating habits (would I benefit from protein shakes or anything of that nature?), types of exercising, etc. At 20 years old I feel as though I should feel fantastic about my body and I don't.

The part of my body that I hate the most is right below my butt (saddle bags??). Yeah, I know I'm young but i absolutely promise you that I have them! Just one more thing (sorry this is really long) but my eating habits are relatively good. egg whites or toast with peanut butter for breakfast, salad for either lunch or dinner, and some kind of protein and veggie for the other meal. I tend to squeeze in a yogurt a day and some fruit as well.

Thanks for any advice anyone has!!!

Hi krstn!

As far as your exercise routine you sound like you have created a healthy regiment. But during your workouts how hard exactley are you working? Are you putting in every effort you can and putting into it what you want to get out of it? Try some high intensity interval workouts where you get your heart rate up really high for about a minute to two minutes then rest for a minute and do this twice a week. You should get uncomfortable and push yourself.

Check out your ingredients on what your eating. Is there a lot of sodium in your dressings, peanutbutter, or yogart. As us chicks age we tend to bloat around the hips and salt and sugars (even if it's fruit) tend to bloat us! If you get stressed really easy or worry a lot you will carry weight in those areas as well. 

Eat about six small meals a day and have your fruit or yogart before 2! Eat complex carbs and if your craving some bread eat sweet potatoes!! Instead of toast eat old fashion oatmeal. Bread...even if its good for you bread can bloat you...so if you do eat it you need to bump up your workout intensity.

After you strenght train with your trainer eat a peice of fruit and a protein drink ( i like designer whey) and you will absorb it quickly!!! Your muscles will love it!

Let me know if you need more info!

Rebecca

Hey Krstn-

Just wanted to make sure you saw the reply that Pro Rebecca Halladay shared with you. Have you tried doing the interval trianing she recommended?  Let us know if you have any questions about it or any other question you have after reading her reply to you.